Alvin wyckoff anb max handschiegl



A. WYCKOFF AND M. HANDSCHIEGL.

ART OF COLORING CINEMATOGRAPHIC FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, IQIG.

Patented May 13, 1919.

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ALVIN WYCKOFF AND MAX HANDSCHIEGL, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA,ASSIG-NORS TO FAMOUS PLAYERS-LASKY CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

T OF COLORING CINEMATOGRAPHIC FILMS.

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1 '0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, ALVIN WYoKorF and MAXHxxosonnzon, citizens of the United in the stencil.

States, residing at 'Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and Stateof California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Art ofColoring Cinematographic Films; and we do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

This invention relates to the art of coloring or tinting cinematographicfilms and the like, and particularly to films which have been exposed,developed and made ready for exhibition; and constitutes the process ofapplying soluble coloring matter, such as anilin dyes or likesubstances, to positive films by subjecting them to a pressurable' con,

tact with similar films carrying such coloringI matter.

eretofore the coloring or tinting of such films has been accomplished invarious ways, chief amongwhich are the stencil and direct methods. Inthe first named method a stencil is cut from a negative or fac-simile ofthe positive film to be colored, that portion of each view being cut outwhich corresponds to a similar portion on the positive it is desired tocolor: This stencil is then laid down upon the positivefilm and thecoloring matter applied over its surface by hand or other means. thuscoloring those portions of the positive film exposed through theapertures With this method a separate stencil must be out for eachseparate color it isdesired to apply to the positive film. In the directmethod the coloring matter is applied directly to the finished positivefilm by means of a brush. Both of these methods are slow and expensive.As two films seldom shrink the same after being wet in the developingprocess. it is practically impossible with the stencil process to colormore than a limited number of views at a time without readjustment ofthe stencil perforations to reglster with their corresponding portionsonthe positive film. Furthermore, the above named methods, in additionto being tedious and expensive, have been productive of unsatisfactoryresults, in thatthe coloring matter is generally unevenly ap-Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Ma is, rare.

Application filed November 20, 1916. Serial No. 132,350.

'In view of the foregoing this invention has for its prime object therendering of the process of coloring such films more expeditious, lessexpensive and productive of per fect results.

In its broadest aspect, our process embraces the application of coloringmatter to selected portions of a film, preferzilaly a negative, and thesubsequent transfer of such coloring matter to similarly selectedportions of a positive print by bringing the two together in contactupon the periphery of a revoluble drum; while at'the same time the filmsare drawn separately over stretching means, and brought into perfectregister before coming in contact. In this manner two very objectionablefeatures heretofore encountered in the art are entirely obviated, 2'.6., first, by bringing the films to register before coming in contactupon the drum. the shifting of one film upon the other, which results insmearino the color, is avoided; and. second by exertlng a constant andeven longitudinal tension upon the films to bring them to register, suchpressure ismaintained by rolling them in even contact. thereby reducingto a -minimum the possibility of their slipping out of register. I

The merits of the invention will be more fully set forth in thefollowing specification, reference being had'to the accompanyingdrawings in which is illustrated an apparatus suitable for carrying outthe various steps in the process, and in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the apparatusv used and thetravel of the films therethrough in making the transfer of coloringmatter:

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are views illustrating fragmentary sections ofcinematographic films looking toward their sensitized surfaces.

The term ne ative film as will be hereinafter used shall be deemed torefer to any original film, carrying the originalor first impressionsmade by exposure in the camera,

tive film shall be considered as referring to any film adapted to beused for final exhibition and which is an inverse fac-simile of the saidoriginal or negative, reproduced ,by

any means. The term face refers to the gelatinous or sensitized surfacesof the films- Referring now to the drawings let Fig. 2

1 represent the sensitized surface of a fragmentary section of negativefilm containing a series of views which comprises a scene in thepicture. Say, for 1nstance,.1t is desired to color the sky portion 10blue in these views. A positive, as at Fig. 3, is taken from the saidnegative, and the sky portions.

10 to be colored are stopped out or covered over with a coating ofmaterial which is impervious to light; this may be done byhand with theaid of a brush or other suitable implement. The balance of the views areleft in their normal state of. development. A negative, as at Fig. 4, isthen printed back. from this coated positive on which the sky portions10 which have been unexposed to light reason of the coated portions 10of the positive, are undeveloped, the sensitized materials having beenremoved in the developing bath leaving only the gelatinous matterthereon, which is transparent. It is well known in photography that thegelatinous coating on a film becomes more insoluble or harder on thoseportions actedupon by light than on those parts-where no exposure takesplace. This negative is then immersed in a chemical solution such asbichromate or the like which i fixes and solidifies the exposed ordeveloped portion-s of'the views, rendering such portions impervious toliquid, but does not jef'-' matter has thoroughly penetrated and adheredtov the viscous surface, of the transparent gelatinous portions 10". Itis then allowed to dry after which it is ready for the transferringprocess by pressurable contact with the positive film, as at Fig. 5, forthe coloring of the portion 10.

The above described process of ap lying the coloring matter tothe-negative Elm is the most preferableand inexpensive, however, equallygood .results may be obtained when the coloring matter is applieddirectly to the sald negative by hand.

' In this process a negativefilm is used as a support for the coloringmatter for two reasons first, because it discloses thereon a replica ofthat portion or image on the positive film it is desired to color and,can be readll'y treated as above described, and, second, because anegative and positive film hereinafter explained.

may be placed together with their gelatinous surfaces in contact andwith the views 7 on each in perfect'register with the other.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. l, of the drawings, let Adesignate a negative film, which has been treated as above described,and B a positive film to be colored. The negative A is placed upon asuitable reel 11, facing outwardly thereon as indicated; thence threadedover a series of adjustably retardable rollers 12 and 13, each equippedwith peripheral teeth for engaging the film perforations, under a rulber pressure roller 14, and around underneath a drum 15, also providedwith teeth upon its periphery for engaging said perforations, leavingthe apparatus over a roller 16, thence to a drying reel 17. Thepositivefilm B is placed upon a reel 18 adj acent a receptacle containing 'achemical solution through which it is run for the purpose of moisteningand softening the gelatinous coating thereon, suflicient to dissolve andabsorb coloring matter from the negative film upon being subjected to apressurable contact therewith, as will be From reel 18 positive sivelycarried over rollers 19, 20, 21 and 22, in the direction indicated bythe arrows, the film being immersed in the solution 22 in passinga'roundroller 20, between rollers film B is succes- 19 and'21. Fromroller 22 it is brought into the contact apparatus C over a series ofadjustab-ly retardab-le rollers 23 and 24,

similar to rollers 12 and 13, and likewiseprovided with peripheral teethfor engaging the film perforations, under rulb-ber pressure roller 14,around underneath toothed drum 15, leaving the machine over roller '25,from which it may be carried to a drying reel or to another set ofapparatus D, as

shown in the drawing, should it be desired tosubsequently apply one ormore other colors.

In passing the two films over drum 15- they are carefully placed inregister; that is, like views opposite each other with their gelatinoussurfaces in contact.

Revolving drulm 1.5 inthe direction indicated by the arrow, by anysuitable means, such as acrank 26 and drive shaft 27, actuating a wormand worm wheel secured thereto, draws the films A and B over rollers 12and 1-3, and 23 and 24, respectively, as indicatedby the arrows inFig. 1. i

It seldom happens that two films shrink the same after being wet in thedeveloping process, and therefore it is necessary to stretch either oneor the other longitudinally to bringthem into perfect contactualregisterfor the transfer of the coloring matter. This is accomplished indrawing the. films over retardable toothed rollers 12-, 13, 23 and 24,by revolving the drum 15. Either mosses 1 setoi'rollers beingadjusted toexert a pull upon the film to stretch it the desired amount. It veryoften happens thata film,

such as the positive film B" in this case, stretches upon being wet, inwhich event rollers l2 and 13 may beadjusted to stretch Immediatelyafter coming into contact with each other upon the'periphery of the drum15, the films A and B are subjected to an initial cont-actual pressureby a soit rub ber roller '14; this tends to a more perfect contact Whichis maintained throughout the osculati'on of the films upon the drum, and

also serves to squeeze out excessive liquid that may remain upon thefilm.

In the absorption of coloring matter by the positive film from thenegative through contact therewith, various lengths of time arerequired, varying from at least one minute to one and oneehalf minutesfor best results; and for this reason drum 15 is adapted to revolveslowly to allow the films to remain in contact the required length oftime traveling between rollersl'i and 25.

This momentaryfilm contact upon the revolving' drum is a"v'ery essentialfeature of our process; not only as a means of producing perfect contactduring a continuous and uninterrupted movement of the films, therebyresulting in a great saving of time, but also as afl ording thesimplest-and most efficient means of minutely 'gradating the depth or'amount of coloring matter transferred to the positive print, merely byincreasing or diminishing its speed of rotation to shorten or lengthenthe duration of contact. Furthermore, such a'means of contact insuresthe greatest protection'to the moist gelatinous surface of the films,and the possibility of its being scufied or loosened from its base byrough handling or sharp bending is entirely obviated.

It may be here stated that should it be desired to operate the drumw-ata constant speed, such as with motive power, or the like, the durationof contact between the films may be altered by making roller 25adjustably movable around the periphery of the drum, sol as to shorten Ior lengthen the peripheral distance between it (the point of separation)and the the opposite side. I,

This process is adapted to the applicatron of one'or more colors to apositive film by sub ect1ng it to -a presurable contact with severalnegative films, eachbeing a facsimlle of the said positive and eachcarrying point of contact on a difi'erent color. To accomplish thisseveral sets of the described apparatus may be set sideby sideinalinement with each other, as illustrated at 5C and D in Fig. 1, and theseveral negatives carrying the various colors placed on reels 11, andthreaded through the machines as above described. The positive film maybe carried continuously from one machine to the other as from C to D, as

shown in Fig. 1,, and operated'as hereinbefore set forth. a.

The three primary colors, red, yellow and blue, are the. ones mostcommonly used in the process, as it is with these that the greatestvariety of natural tints may be prod'ruced. For instance, if itisdesired to color Y the 'shrubbery the views green, the positive film isrun through two machines successively, each carrying a negative film;one with a coating of blue coloring matter and -the other a coating ofyellow, both upon 'corresponding portions of their views, and the twocolors thus laid one upon the other, producing green; It can be readilyseen that in this manner any number of colors may applied to the variousimages in the views upona positive film, by subjecting it to a contactwith several negatives carrying the coloring matter.

I By this process the coloring matter is evenly applied to the positivefilm, the outlines being clear and distinct, and the whole accomplishedwith a minimum of time and expense.

his application is companion to an application S. N. 132,351, filed oneven date herewith, entitled machine for and art of coloringcinematographic films. in said application we claim the printing machineherein described and also the peculiar method of printing hereindescribed which includes the featureof registration of the films;reserving to the present application claims which include the method ofpreparing the printing surface. Accordingly the following claims'aredirected to such a method; but it be understood that the processes ofsuch claims are not, except as therein specifically provided, limited tobeing carried on in association with the other features of the printingprocess that are claimed in said copending application. We have hereinfully explained the whole c'omposite process for the purposeof makingour invention readily and clearly understood and not for purposes oflimitation.

Having described our process, we claim: .4 1. The rocess of. coloringcinematographic films, consisting of coating a posi- .tive,print uponthose portions of its views it. is dlesiredto color with matter imperioc"vious to lightandtaking a negative print tially as and for the purposeherein set to the light in printing, the subsequent immersion of suchtreated negative print in the coloring matter and the adhesion of suchcoloring matter to the portions thereof not rendered impervious theretoand the drying of such coloring matter thereon, the immersion of thepositive print to be colored in a solution for the moistening andsoftening of the gelatinous surface thereon, subjecting the gelatinoussurface of such positive print gelatinous surface of thenegative printcarrylng coloring matter, the views upon the positive prmt being made'toregister with the corresponding views upon the color carrying negativewhlle in contact, substanforth.

2. The process of coloring cinematographic films comprising uniformlyblocking out with an opaque medium all those portions ona positiveprintwhich portions it'is desired to color, making a negative from suchpositive, rendering insoluble all those portions of the negative surfaceexposed to light in making the negative, applying coloring niatter tothe portions which have not been exposed to light, and transferring suchapplied coloring matter to the film G. R. DEXTER, WM. L. Connors.

